Lord Falconer at the end of the debate on the motion for more parliamentary time – Parliament TV
Peers have voted for a motion in support of more time for the Assisted Dying Bill to pass through the House of Lords. The fate of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which successfully passed the Commons last year, was in jeopardy after over 1,100 amendments were put forward, and the debate progressed at a glacial pace. Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision welcome this extra time for scrutiny.
What happens next?
Now that the motion to give more time has been passed, peers will enter into private negotiations about how and when this time will be given. This may involve peers starting early or staying late for the debates.
Lord Falconer and Baroness Smith of Basildon, the Leader of the House of Lords, both ruled out additional government time.
The debate will continue tomorrow, with more Committee Stage debate on possible amendments to the Bill. In the first four debates, representing nearly 16 hours, peers only debated 10 out of 84 groups of amendments, and more amendments continue to be tabled.
Filibustering in the Lords
Peers have been accused of attempting to filibuster the Assisted Dying Bill, essentially causing it to fail by proposing an unreasonable number of amendments and deliberately making unnecessary speeches to time it out. We’ve identified several instances of peers being explicitly clear that they are trying to block the Bill by means other than it being voted down.
Seven of the most vocal opponents to the Bill have put forward over 600 amendments between them. Amendments have included a pregnancy test for all applicants, including men, a one-year holiday ban for applicants and an unworkable requirement for half a dozen GP visits.
The Bill must pass all parliamentary stages before the end of the parliamentary session, expected in Spring 2026, or it fails.
Dave Sowry, Board Member of My Death, My Decision, said:
‘If peers wrecked the assisted dying Bill through dirty tactics and procedural shenanigans, they would also be wrecking their own reputation, and potentially their future. We welcome this motion being passed in the House of Lords. The public cares very deeply about assisted dying, and while it must get the scrutiny it needs, now is the time for the House of Lords to work together on this Bill and return it to the Commons.’
Notes
Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request
For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033. (media only)
Media can use the following press images and videos, as long as they are attributed to “My Death, My Decision”.
My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.
